Type-writing machine.



PATENTED MAYI, 1906.

E. G. LATTA. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, 1904.

7i ZZnesses:

UNITED sTAjrEs PATENT OFFICE.

TO HARVEY A. MOYER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1906.

Application filed October 31,1904, Serial No. 230,655-

To (1166 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I EMMIT G. IJATTA, a citizen of the United States,,residing at Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type-VVriting Machines, of wh ch the following is a specification.

T hisinventionrelates to type-writing Inachines of the kind having pivoted type-bars, 10,, and is directed more particularly to improvements in the construction of the type-bars and their bearings and to the relative arrangement of the same and the platen.

Certain of the im rovements are espe- I 5 cially applicable to ront-strike or visiblewriti rovi ed with two sets of type, commonly nown as lower and upper case type or characters, and the platen is normal y in printing relation to one set of characters and is shifted into printing relation to the other set.

Other features of the invention are also applicable to other kinds of type-writing ma- 2 5 chines.

The objects of the invention are to produce a typebar and bearing hanger or member of simple, durable, and inexpensive construction which enables a ready adjustment of the bearing, affords a guide for the type-barin a proaching the printing-point, and efiectua ly excludes dust and foreign matter from the bearing, to apply the hangers to the machine in such a way as to secure a more com- 3 5 pact build, and to so construct and arrange the parts that the printing being done can be seen by the operator to better advantage thanin front-strike type-writing machines as ordinarily constructed. 0 In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of a front-strike type-writing machine embodying the invention. .Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, partlyin section, of a portion of the type- 4 5 bar segment and hangers, part of which latter is omitted to show the segment. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the hangers and a portion of its type-bar, also showing the segment in transverse" section. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, in line 4 4, Fig. 3 showing several adjacent hangers. Figs. 5 and 6 are sections, on an enlarged scale, in lines 5 5 and 6 6, respectively, Fig.

machines, in which the type-bars are type-bars.

Fig. 7 is'a view similar to Fig 3, showing a modified form of segment and hanger. I

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the stationary frame "of the machine; B, the platen, which, as" usual, is

. journaled on a carriage 6, adapted to travel horizontally across the machine on a supporting and guiding bearing 1); C, the pivoted type-bars, and D one of the finger-keys which are connected to the type-bars to ac tuate the latter. These parts, with the exception of the ty e-bars, which will be described, may be 0 any usual or suitable construction.

In the front-strike machine illustrated in the drawings the type-bars are pivotally supported below and in front of the platen by a vertically-disposed segment or curved su port E, which is secured at its ends to t e ends .of the frame, for instance, by bolts e, passing through lugs e c on the segment and sides of the frame, the bolt and lugs at one end only of the segment being shown. The

type-bars arev not pivoted directly to the seg- -ment,'but to bearing hangers or members F,

adjustably secured to 'ihe segment. Both the type-bars and hangers may be and preferably are stam ed from sheet metal, and the hangers are ormed by dies or otherwise into the shape shown. Referring articularly to Figs. 1 6, the hangers are o U section of varying width at different portions, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6. The central or intermediate part f of each hanger, in which part the type-bar is ivoted, is relatively narrow and has parallel sides, wh ch bear flat against the o posite plain parallel faces of the pivot end of the type-bar to hold the latter from lateral deflection, while the side walls or faces of the inner. and outer or attachmg port ons f j of the hanger taper, as shown in F Ig. 2, so that the sides of the .hangers contact with each other on lines radial to the printing-point and mutuall, support each other laterally, thus making a very compact and rigid bearing structure for the The side walls of the wide attaching portions of the hangers are 'spaced far enough apart to admit the ends of the connecting-rodsby which the type-bars are actuated, while the side walls of the inner ends of the hangers arespaced andshapcd to form I guides to cause the of its guide w ty e-bars to always strike the platen exactly at'the printing-point. For this purpose the inner faces of the side walls of the guide portions are inclined or converge (see Fig. 6) and the narrowest portion of the space between the inclined faces fits the rear edge of the type-bar when at the printingpoint, as shown in Fig. 6. The guide ends of the hangers are ofl set relative to their attaching ends, and the side walls of their central bearing portions are connected above the pivot ends of the type-bars at f Figs..1, 2, and 3, thusforming covers or dust-guards.

over the ivot-bearings. The pivot ends of the t ears are offset to locate the pivots in t e covered bearing portions of the hangers, and the guide ends of the hangers do not prevent the type-bars from striking the platen. This form of the hanger produces a most efficient guard to prevent the access of dust or foreign matter to both the bearing for the type-bar and the pivot-joint between the type-bar and its connecting-rod, andin this respect is more efficient than most other devices used for this pur ose.

The type-bar is pre'erably pivoted to the hanger by a rivet G, Fig. 5, having a head, a cylindrical body, and a riveting end of smaller diameter than the body, whereby a shoulder is formed, which prevents the closing together oi the side walls of the hanger, so as to inch or bind the type-bar. The shoulder orms a guide, insuring a close joint of the sides of the hanger with the type-bar without bindin the latter. I i

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 each hanger is secured to the segment with the front ed es of its attaching portion engaging in radia slots H in the rear face of the se ment by two screws h, which pass through ho es in the back of thehan er and engage in screw-threaded holes h in t e segment. The screw-holessinthe hanger are lar e enough to permit the-hanger to be adjuste lengthwise slightly to secure the correct position of the type-head at the printin -point. Each slot H, with theexception of t e two end slots, receives the adjacent side walls of two adjoining hangers, which are thus held in true radial position, while being capable of adjustment lengthwise, as stated. Each hanger is provided at its front side midway between its securing-screws with rounded projections 'i', Fig. 3, which bear on the bottoms of the slots H, forming fulcrums on which the hanger can be rocked slightly to move its inner guide end forwardly or backwardly, so that the type-bar will {lust enter the narrow inner end en it strikes the printing-point of the platen. By loosening one screw and turning u theother this adjustment is easily made. he movement re uired is so slight as to have no appreciable e ect on the aline-' ment. I The hangers bear against each other both at then guide and attaching portions and fit so snugly in the slots of the segment that while the stated adjustments can be made, yet they support each other laterally at all times'and form, in effect, a solid structure. These adjustments obviate the necessity for taking up wear on the type-bar pivots.

The hanger F (shown in Fig. 7) differs from that describedprincipally in that its attaching endf extends horizontally rearward or at an angle to the upri ht guide portionf and is secured in slots in t e upper face of the segment E. The type-bar C in this construction is arranged for connection with an operating-rod, .WlLlCl'I lS pushed upwardly to swin the type-bar to make the impression. The anger F, like the hanger F before described, can be rocked and moved lengthwise in the slots of the segment to adjust the guide relative to the type-bar and the latter relative to the printing-point on the platen.

Thehanger, while of narrow U shape in cross-section where it receives the type-bar, is wider and of semitubular form at its attaching portion and when in position on the segment forms a tube of great rigidity that is closed at the upper end and on all sides, except where it is open to receive the end of the type-bar and connecting-rod, making, in effect, a hollow hanger in which the bar is almost completely inclosed and perfectly protected from dust. hanger is left open to spread somewhat in The lower end of the tightening up the securing-screws, and as there is no dan er of dust working into the hearing from be ow this is no objection. By closing the upper end of the hanger it is not only made ractically dust-proof, but the end acts to sti en the hanger and hold its side walls in exact position to fit the end of the type-bar, so that the latter may vibrate freely without lateral movement. This is important, because the securing-screws act. to s read the walls of the hanger when tightene up and would, but for the integral'connecting end portion of the hanger, disturb the seat for the type bar. In case-hardening the hangers the integral ends prevent distortion of the metal to a large degree and insure .the opening for the pivots remaining inexact 'alinement. The action of the securingscrews in spreading the walls of the hanger where it is secured to the segment is desirable, as it takes up any slight looseness of fit and insures a close contact between the hangers, whereby they are made absolutely rigid, givin the effect of asolid segment.

' t is desirable in a front-strike type-writin machine to make the impression at a point on the platen above its horizontal center-that is, above the horizontal plane of its axisso that the writin can be more readily seenb the o erator. a mac 'ne 0 the kind illustrate in which the type-bars are pivoted'below the platen, thetype-heads are oiiset from the main por- 0 accom lish this in when at the printing-point. line position in Fig. 1.) The so as to strike the platen above the horizonconstructed, excedpt as to the location of its tion of the type-barstoward the laten, as] shown in Fig. 1, to make room for t e ribbonvibrator and other parts, (not shown,), and the type-heads are so disposed thatthe typefaces are on a line inclined to the vertical (See the broken type-bars shown are provided with u per and lower case type, and the type ,most equently used, whic I term the lower-case type, are preferably located at the outer ends of the type-heads,

tal plane of its axis in the normal position of the platen, while the other or up er-case. type are below or nearer to the typear pivots, and the platen is shifted downwardly and fo wardly to place it in printing relation to the upper-case type. Any desired platen or carriage shifting means may be employed that will move the platen in a direction substantially parallel with the type-face when at the printing point. The platen -shifting means shown in the drawings consist of a shift-frame K, which supports the carriage and which is ivoted in any suitable manner to the main i 'fame to swing about a pivotal axis k, Fig. 1, in rear of and below the axis of the platen, so that when the frame is depressed the laten will be lowered and moved forwar 1 The shift-frame K is normally held up in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1 by a spring k secured to the back of the machine-frame, and is provided with a forwardly-extend ng shifting key or lever by depressing which the shift-frame and laten are lowered. The shift-frame can a so be privotal axis, an operated like the shiftame disclosed in my a plication for United States Letters Patent. ed July 5, 1904, Serial No. 215,246. The lower osition of the laten is indicated by broken ines in Fig. 1. bviously the relative location of the u er and lower case type on the type-bars coul d be reversed and the platen arranged to shift u wardly and backwardly with a similar resu t; but as the line being written would in this case usually be in the lower position such arrangement is not so desirable.

As usual in front-strike machines, the type-heads are setat an angle to the radial planes in which their Ears swing, the inclination or angularity bei g opposite on opposite sides of the center of the machine and increasing the nearer the heads are to the sides of the segment. This increased angularit of the heads of the type-bars at the sides of the segment would cause the heads tointerfere when at the rest or normal position if short type-bars all of the same len th were set as closely as they are in the mac ine described. To secure the necessary space between the bars at the ends of the segment, it has here.- tofore been customary to either; make the bars longer than is desirable, so as to permit of a larger segment, which afiords more space, or to employ fewer type-bars on a shorter segment, the ends of which do not extend upwardly far enough to cause the type-heads to interfere. In the machine shown this objec- 7 tion is overcome by making a few of the type bar hangers, say three, at each end of the segment lon er than the remaining hangers, as indicated%)y thehang'ers (numbered 1, 2, and- 3) at the right of Fig. 2, each of which hangers is longer than its of the segment. This construction locates the pivots for the type-bars connected to such hangers correspondingly nearer to the rinting-point and permits of the use of typears as much shorter than the others as their hangers are lon er than the remaining hangers. As a resu t of this construction all of the type-bars strike at the'same printingpoint; but the shortening of the end bars causes each of their heads in the rest osition to lie under or inside of the head of t e adj acent bar toward the center of the se ment, and the angularity of the heads is suc that they nest without interference. Any desired number of the end type-bars can thus be made shorter than the regular length, according to the requirements. If a greater number are shortened, a segment of small radius can be used and the type-bars arranged at shorter intervals, or a greater number of bars can be mounted on a segment of the size shown. v v Instead of employing longer hangers for the shorter end type-bars, as above explained, the ends of the segment could becurved on a shorter radius with a similar result; but the construction described is deemed preferable, as the circular segment can bemorereadily machined.

I claim as m invention- 1. The com ination with a type-writing neighbor toward the center' machine having a platen, and a series of typebars arranged to strike the front of the platen, of a series of hangers to which the type-bars are pivoted arranged radially in front of and below the platen, said hangers being of U crosssection and having their rear sides and upper portions above the type-bar pivots closed, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination in a type-writing machine, having a series of type-bars, of an up right segment, and a series of type-bar hangers of U cross-section radially arranged on the rear side ofthe segment in contact thereon in radial lines and extending above the inner edge of the segment and formed above the segment with parallel side walls to receive the type-bars, substantially as set forth. i

3. The combination in a type-writing ma chine having an upright segment, and a series of type-bars, of a series of type-bar hang:

ers 'of U cross-section arranged with their open sldes away from the printing-point and against the segment and having openings in which the type-bars are pivoted, and which are closed above the type-bar pivots, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in a type-writing ma chine having a series oftype-bars, and an upright segment, of a series of hangers of U cross-section arranged on the segment, and having central portions with parallel side walls between which the type-bars are pivoted, and end portions at opposite sides of the central pivot portions resting in contact on radial lines, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination in a type-writing machine having a series of type-bars and an up right segment, of a series of hangers of U cross-section arranged on the segment, and having central portions with parallel side walls between which the bars are pivoted, and end portions both above and below the central pivot portions resting in contact on radial lines, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a type-bar, and

its connecting-rod, of a hanger of'substan tially U section having an inner end with inclined side faces to uide the bar, a central part-with parallel side faces to embrace the bar, and 'a portion of wider section to admit the end of the connecting-rod, substantially as set forth. I

7. The combination in a front-strike type- Writing machine, of a series of hangers arranged in substantially upright relation, and type-bars pivoted thereto, the hangers having opposable side walls open at the front to receive the type-bars, and closed or united at the rear and over the type-bar pivots to exclude dust and stiffen the hangers, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination in a type-writing machine having a series of type-bars normally extending forwardly from an upright segment, of a series of hollow type-bar hangers arranged'on the segment and having their sides and upper ends closed except for openings at one side to receive the ends of the type-bars, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination in a type-writing machine having an upright segment, and a se ries of type-bars, of a series of semitubular hangers radially arranged on the segment in such a way that the segment closes the open sides ofthe hangers, the upper ends of the hangers being closed except for openings at one side to receive the type-bars, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination in a type-writing machine having a series of type-bars provided with offset pivot ends, of a series of upright hangers in which said bars are pivoted, the upper ends and rear sides of the hangers being united so as to inclose the'offget ands of the type-bars, substantially as set ort 11. The combination in a typewriting.

machine having a series of ty e-bars provided with offset pivot ends an connectingrods pivoted thereto, of a series of hangers of U cross-section in which the offset ends of the type -bars are pivoted, the ends'of the hangers in'which the bars are pivoted-being closedto form covers over the offset ends of the type-bars and the pivots joining the typebars and connecting-rods, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination in a type-writing machine having a series of type-bars pro vided with offset ends normally extending in front of an uprightsegment, of a series of hangers having side walls pivotally connected to the offset ends ofthe type-bars, the side walls of the hangers being united by semicircular connecting portions over the offset ends of the type-bars to exclude dust from the pi'vots and stiffen the hangers, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination in a type-writing machine having a series of ty e-bars provided with offset pivot ends, 0 a series ofand a series of hangers having opposable side walls arranged with one side wall of twoadjoining han ers seated in the same slot in the segment, su stantially as set forth.

15; The combination in a type-writing machine, of a hanger support having slots radial to the printing-point, a series of typebar hangers having 0 posable side walls engaged in said slots wfiereby the hangers are held in radial relation, and securing means for said hangers which permit thelatter to be adjusted angularly in said slots, substantially as set forth,

16. The combination in a type-writing machine, of a hanger-support having slots radial to the printing-point, a series of typebarhangers held in radial relation by said slots, and securing means for said hangers which permit the latter to be adjusted angularl and lengthwise in said slots, substantial y as set forth.

17. The combination in a type-writing machine, of a hanger-support,a series of ty e bars and connecting-hangers, each hanger being secured to the support by two screws and havin a rocking bearin on the support, where y the free ends of t e hangers ma be adjusted in the planes in which the typears swing by changmg the position ofthe screws,

substantially as set forth.

18..The combination in a type-writing point,=substa,ntially as set forth.

' for adjusting t'o vy'ard and"r'roni1 justing the 'I'nachi'ne, of a Segment, a series of ivote 'bars, a series ef hangers pivoted to'the bers and having} integral extensions vform ingf uide forthe' type-bars, and means-fetedgulerly in t 'e p1enes-in which the type-bars swing to fit the bersrwhen at-the printing- .19.'The;- combinat1on 1n agtype- Writing type bers hangers for the same, .an meansthe 'inner ends of -'the hangersthe printing-point-in the e-type-ba-rs swing and alsolenes in which t m a direction parallel with the phne'of' the seg ment, substantially as set forth. 1 v

. 20. The Comb" 'ation in; a, type-writin maehine, .of aplaten, af plain segment curve 'de portions of the hangers antype-bars", the pwots cjonnectin the type-bars near the en on the same radius throughout and-arranged I n from and below the puma-series of type bars havmg angularly arran%ed typerheads, and a series-0f hangers'radia.

\ the t ebars to the'hangers-in the-centre part 0 the -segmer'1t being arranged a t the samejdistanee iyots connectlng Sfef the segment f from the segment, and the lyrarranged on the segment landpivotally connected to the. v

being arranged at graduated distances-hem Witnesses} "CHAS-3T. Bren; 7

BLOSSOM. v

,E M T GILA TA, I 

